"This isn't going to change anything, you know," Manitoba said over the remains of his lunch.

Ontario frowned at his computer screen, and the words he'd changed around millions of times. "Well aware."

"He had a press conference this morning about how this is a stepping stone," he went on. He turned the remaining half-sandwich about and debated whether it was worth finishing.

"I've seen the news." Ontario flipped a few words around. His hand hovered over the mouse for a moment before switching them back.

"And it's going to piss off all the other groups who aren't…"

"Manitoba, fuck, I know, okay?" He snapped. He glared to the side, his vision blurred without his glasses. Regardless, he could still tell the gesture he'd received. "It's not like I'm stumbling into this."

"Then why the hell are you…"

"Do you have a better idea for keeping him around and quiet for a while?" He asked flatly. "We've pretty much exhausted everything."

Manitoba returned to his food. "He's not quieting down at all."

"It's your fault he's like this, anyway." Ontario said. He flipped two words, and changed them back just as quickly.

"Don't pin this on me, asshole. You two have been at this since before I was born." He put the remaining crust down. "And it's not gonna change at all just because you start calling him a nation on paper. Well, other than pissing everybody else in Canada off…"

"Everyone else in Canada knows what he's like," Ontario said. "Even you." He sighed, and changed from French to English and back again. "Dad just wants it quiet."

"There's no pacifying him on this." He moved over to take a final look at the wording. "He's going to keep pushing this until we have to…"

"I know," He said. Ontario turned the computer a bit. "I know, but we can at least soften the blow."

Manitoba grabbed his plate. "If that's all you're looking for, that wording should be fine." From the kitchen, he added, "Don't go insane on something temporary."

Ontario would spend another hour or two switching words. He would stay awake that night, wondering if there would ever be enough.